Safety device for protecting motor cars against fire after collision



Jan. 14, 1936. SLEBOS 2,027,709

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PROTECTING MOTOR CARS AGAINST FIRE AFTER COLLISION Filed Dec. 15, 1933 Dim SLsraos INVENTOE his AT ORN El.

Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR PROTECTING MOTOR CARS AGAINST FIRE AFTER COLLISION Dirk Slebos, The Hague, Netherlands 2 Claims. (Cl. 200-52) Safety devices are already known in which a switch is actuated upon the collision of the motor car and breaks the electrical connection between the battery and the body of the car, in order 5 to prevent fire breaking out in consequence of a short circuit.

These safety devices possess the drawback that a potential difference still exists between the body of the car and the electrical installation :13 thereof when, after a collision, the motor and the dynamo coupled therewith still rotate. This drawback is overcome according to the invention by constructing the switch in such a manner that, in the event of a collision, the switch disconnects the dynamo as well as the battery from the body of the car.

The invention will now be described with reference to the example of construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing which is 9. iongitudinai section through the switch.

The action of the switch is based on the inertia eifect of the mass of the ball A attached to the end of a tube B. The tube B is connected at its lower end to an egg-shaped body C which, in

closed position of the switch, rests with its lower part on a button D provided with a cavity in its upper surface. This button is arranged on a pin E and is pressed upwards by means of a spring F. The button D and the spring F are accommodated in a casing G which is connected, preferably by a screw connection, to a base plate H to which is also connected a box I. In the box I are arranged three insulated circuit controlling contacts J, K, and L. In the closed position of the switch a resilient contact piece M, which is connected to the pin E but is insulated from said pin, rests on the contacts J, K, and L.

In the event of a collision, the ball A will, in consequence of its inertia. be brought out of its normal position. By this movement, the eggshaped body C which forms with the ring N o! the casing G a cup-and-ball joint is turned and releases the button D, which then ascends under the influence of the spring F. As the pin E and contact piece M ascend together with the button D, the mutual contact between the contact pieces J, K, and L is broken and, in consequence thereof the elastic circuit is broken.

A pin 0 is arranged in the switch so that it passes through the ball A, the tube B and the egg-shaped body C, said pin being spring-pressed by means of a spring P. When the ball A is deflected, the lower portion of the pin 0 will extend between the wall of the ring N and the side portion of the button D, thus preventing the ball returning to its original position in the event of a violent collision. In order to bring the switch back into its original position, the pin 0 is drawn upwards by means of the knob Q, which enables the egg-shaped body to be brought back on the button D, whereby the switch is again closed.

What I claim is:-

1. A safety device for protecting motor cars against fire after collision, comprising a switch adapted to be brought into action by shock, circuit controlling contacts in said switch, an eggshaped body, a ring forming with said body a cup-and-ball joint, said egg-shaped body being provided with a stem, a mass carried by said stem, and spring-pressed means depressed by said stem and carrying said contacts, whereby when in response to a shock said mass and stem are displaced, the spring pressed means is released and opens said contacts.

2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized by a spring-pressed pin passing through the egg-shaped body, the stem and the mass, and a knob at the end of said pin whereby the device can be restored by hand into its normal position.

DIRK SLEBOS. 

